Can MIO: Memories In Orbit Fill The Silksong-Shaped Void In My Heart?

Gone are the times when video game development was only limited to major companies and studios. With technological advancement, a fascinating little term called indie games has emerged. In a time when AAA games are becoming suffocatingly scripted, these “independent studios” are where the true creative potential lies.

There’s one particular genre that indie games love to death, and that is none other than Metroidvania. Seeing indie and Metroidvania in a single sentence, I’m sure you’ll say “Silksong?” Ha, I wish. This trigger word for my trauma continues to elude us, but I’m here to talk about a different indie Metroidvania today, courtesy of the recent Nintendo Direct.

MIO: Memories In Orbit — What If Ori But Robots?

While watching the Nintendo Direct, I came across this creative-looking gem called MIO: Memories in Orbit, and I couldn’t help but share it with the world.

When the trailer began, the developer and publisher logos gave it away that an indie game was coming, something I didn’t have any prior idea about, so naturally, fascination took over. As the cutscene introducing the tentacle-haired protagonist concluded, the gameplay began. I’ll be honest, the starting few seconds I thought it was something akin to Little Nightmare, what with the giant robot hand watching you.

MIO: Memories in Orbit looks interesting
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I expected something with minimalistic gameplay but a high focus on the atmospheres and navigating ominous environments. However, when the combat and platforming sections began, that’s when I knew the Hollow Knight fan in me was about to be very pleased. In fact, it looked more Ori than Hollow Knight.

However, instead of fantastical creatures or peculiar insects, what if you had killer robots on your tail? That’s precisely what MIO: Memories in Orbit is. Enter The Vessel, a stranded, abandoned spaceship littered with Robots gone rogue when the AI responsible for maintenance mysteriously malfunctioned (This is the future, people). Now it’s up to MIO, a strange robot amidst stranger surroundings to fix this mess up.

Will you save the Vessel from oblivion? Navigate your way through a perilous sci-fi world in MIO: Memories In Orbit, coming soon to #NintendoSwitch. pic.twitter.com/wuD37OXmej

— Nintendo UK (@NintendoUK) June 18, 2024

“Fix” Rogue Robots In Acrobatic Fashion

Now that I know it’s a Hollow Knight/Ori-like game, it’s time for me to start analyzing and gushing over the gameplay mechanics. You have been warned.

From the movement and animations of the characters, it can be inferred that MIO: Memories of Orbit will be a more fast-paced game similar to Ori, and thus the level design would be accordingly. The tentacle-shaped hair will be at the center of it all. We see MIO skillfully and swiftly navigate the surroundings thanks to these appendages, as well as make short work of the deadly robots.

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That’s not all, your tentacles will be a great asset when solving tough platforming sections, climbing and jumping off walls, and avoiding deadly obstacles. Plus, you can upgrade MIO’s combat as well as exploration prowess using some sort of progression system. Whether it’s taking out robots in style or nimbly conquering the life-threatening platforming sections, MIO: Memories in Orbit handles it with finesse and has already won my heart.

Oh, and you know I wasn’t going to leave here without discussing the boss fights, so here I am. This is where MIO: Memories in Orbit sheds its Ori skin and dons the Hollow Knight robes. With bosses requiring precise positioning on the battlefield to avoid attacks, using area-covering moves with fixed openings, and requiring a strategic combination of dodging and attacking, this is where the game will most likely peak.

Some Good News For Trauma-Laden Silksong Fans

With charming and awe-inspiring backgrounds, soul-soothing music, exciting combat mechanics, creative parkour, and imposing boss fights, MIO: Memories in Orbit looks like it’ll be a majestic adventure for all Metroidvania fans, especially those like me who Silksong has turned into a husk.

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Another “Game showcases” season has passed, yet there’s no news of Silksong’s whereabouts. Is it even real? Certain factors sure do point to it being real, yes, but then why the utter silence? I sincerely believe it’s time Team Cherry breaks the vow of silence and communicates with its fans, we deserve as much.

Silksong News
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Until that day becomes a reality, I think I’ll try reviving some of the crushed spirit with MIO: Memories of Orbit.